LIONS @ PATRIOTS
The Detroit Lions (7-3) travel to Foxborough, Massachusetts this Sunday afternoon to take on the red-hot & 1st-seed in the AFC, New England Patriots (8-2).
The Patriots are in scintillating form at the moment, coming off a convincing 42-20 away win over the Indianapolis Colts. The win on Sunday Night against the Colts makes it 6 wins on the trot for Bill Belichick's side.
Detroit lost a tough match in Arizona to NFC's 1st-seed, Arizona last weekend. It certainly won't get any easier this week, but with Reggie Bush expected to return from a niggling ankle injury, there may just be a reason for confidence.
The big story coming out of the Patriots camp is the little-known undrafted Running Back out of Notre Dame, Jonas Gray (pictured top right) who made a hell of an impression on Sunday Night, rushing for 199 yards & a franchise record 4 touchdowns in just his fourth NFL game. It will be interesting to see if Gray can back it up this week against the #1 defense against the rush this season, Detroit Lions.
Out in Michigan, things are a bit quieter this week after QB Matt Stafford & the Lions offense were held to just two field goals against the impressive Arizona defense. This was the first time this season Detroit have failed to score a touchdown.
What I am most looking forward to seeing is
the two big offensive playmakers from either side go head-to-head in some respect. WR Calvin Johnson Jr. & TE Rob Gronkowski.
Megatron was relatively quiet last week against Arizona & his still shaking a bit of rust off from his ankle injury. News emerged late however, that Johnson sustained a minor elbow injury that left him in the locker room after the game longer than need be.
On the other side of the field is Rob Gronkowski. The big Gronk caught 4 passes for 71 yards & a bull-dozing touchdown through the Indianapolis defense. A quick stat to note, when Gronkowski plays more than 35 snaps, the Patriots are 6-0. When he doesn't, the Patriots are 1-2.
With all that being said, New England, led by future Hall Of Fame QB Tom Brady win this one. Detroit need to convert more than 75% of their possessions into scores to stay in this game in my opinion, I just can't see that happening.
NEW ENGLAND BY 14.
Shane Bullen